Trumbull School Board Gets Money, Now Needs to Spend It

The school board has the money to fill seven positions and bring back freshman sports, sophomore football and girl's ice hockey when it meets tonight.

The Board of Finance last week authorized $512,056, based on the school board's request for 3.0 teaching positions, two secretaries, a custodian, one computer para-professional and the sports. Those and five more elementary school para-professionals were cut for the 2011-2012 school year. The measure passed 5-1.

The para-professionals, often called a "paras," made up about $35,000 of the request. It was made at the last minute, and reduced from $193,000 for six elementary school computer paras.

para Larry Stowe asked the school board to ask for $193,000.

"Frenchtown was built as a 21st-century school," he said.

The school uses a video broadcast system that cost more than $100,000, serving 160 students. More equipment has been donated as well.

"I can almost guarantee it would no longer be used," he said.

Stowe added that other communities, such as Monroe, have not cut their computer para-professionals.

His plea came after two former Frenchtown students, Cory Lionetti and Helen Samoskevich, said learning technology boosted their confidence and helped prepare them for their later education.

They said without paras, teachers would have to troubleshoot problems, which would take time away from the classroom.

Meanwhile, Principal Charlotte Janis asked for a second secretary. "They're really important to the safety of the school," she said.

The secretaries also handle absentees and early dismissal arrangements for students, Janis added.

And Julie Howe argued for freshman sports. "It gives my son a huge [sense of] self-esteem to be part of a team," she said.

First Selectman Tim Herbst, who played freshman football at and graduated in 1998, has supported the return of freshman sports and the other staff members, but did not address the paraprofessional request.

After hearing from the public, finance board chairwoman Elaine Hammers said the board can approve the money but the school board decides how to spend it.

"We value your input. We understand your positions," she said.

The school board estimated the district's surplus at $550,000, after a two-month spending freeze instituted by Supt. Ralph Iassogna, who did not attend the meeting.

But Asst. Supt. Gary Cialfi, Business Administrator Steve Sirico and school board Chairman Ted Lovely represented the district.

Finance board member Steve Lupien asked what the options were without paras.

"It would be easier of this were 10 years ago" because technology has gotten more complicated, he said. "It would be difficult to replace what computer paraprofessionals do."

Finance alternate Cindy Penkoff asked if the school district had plans for the next several years with the possibility of state funding drying up. The bill without state aid could be about $2 million, officials said.

"We cannot expect the taxpayer to bear that entire burden," she said.

Cialfi answered that the budget process will be intensified, involving closer and more frequent review.

Lovely estimated that there could be 250 fewer students by 2015 or 2016. And Sirico said there's a "very very remote" chance of state funding running out. Congress pays for 40 percent of special education, he noted.

Finance boad member Ken Martin Jr. said he appreciated the need for paras and later asked for $35,000 for one.

His colleague, Paul Lavoie, was concerned that some programs come under fire every during budget debates.

His daughter played hockey. "We have to get off this rollercoaster  with the kids, especially with sports," he said.

After the $193,000 vote failed, Martin said Frenchtown could use a para.  "I also thought that there was an impassioned plea. It seems like kids are really utilizing [the technology]. I would be willing to add back that para."

But member Tom Tesoro said all paras should be returned, not just one.

Town Council Member Mary Beth Thornton, who attended the meeting, said afterward, "All of this could have been avoided if the Board of Education's request had been honored during the budget session."

Meanwhile, Herbst has said budget planning should start now because the town is starting off next season with a $1.7 million bonding for the high school renovation and more for teachers' raises.